TL;DR
The government announced on 19 June 2026 a set of proposed reforms to the homebuying process in England. Key changes include mandatory upfront seller sales packs, earlier binding agreements, a new Code of Practice for estate agents and a shift to digital tools. The government estimates the package could cut average transaction times by four weeks and save first-time buyers around 650 pounds. These are proposals and are not yet law.
Last reviewed: 23 June 2026
Key Facts: Homebuying Process Reforms 2026
|
What the government is proposing
The government announced on 19 June 2026 a package of proposed reforms to the homebuying and selling process in England. The reforms cover the full transaction journey from the moment a property is listed to legal completion.
Mandatory seller sales packs
Under the proposals, sellers and their estate agents would be required to prepare a sales pack at the point of listing. This pack would set out key information about the property including its condition, any leasehold costs, service charges, ground rent arrangements, and where it sits in any chain.
The aim is to give buyers essential information before making an offer, rather than weeks or months into the process after legal fees have already been incurred. Currently, much of this information only becomes available after an offer is accepted, contributing to late-stage transaction collapses and abortive costs for buyers.
Earlier binding agreements
The reforms propose introducing a point earlier in the transaction at which agreements become binding - designed to reduce gazumping (a seller accepting a higher offer after already accepting one) and gazundering (a buyer lowering their offer close to exchange). The precise stage at which agreements would become binding is subject to the consultation process.
New Code of Practice for estate agents
The package includes a proposed Code of Practice governing how estate agents conduct their work. Estate agency is currently relatively lightly regulated compared with other property professionals. The code would set minimum standards for how agents handle offers, manage chains and communicate with buyers and sellers.
Digital tools across the process
The reforms include a push to digitalise the homebuying process, covering electronic identity verification, digital property information forms and online tracking systems that would allow buyers and sellers to monitor transaction status in real time. The government cited the Netherlands, where a live tracking system contributes to an average completion time of around 20 days.
Estimated impact
The government estimates the full package could cut average transaction times by around four weeks and save first-time buyers an average of 650 pounds in abortive costs - fees paid to solicitors and surveyors on transactions that later collapse. These are projections based on the proposed reforms. Actual outcomes will depend on how the changes are phased in and adopted across the industry.
Are these changes already in force?
No. The proposals were announced on 19 June 2026 and are subject to consultation before any legislation is introduced. Buyers and sellers completing transactions now are operating under the existing system.
What is a sales pack?
A sales pack (sometimes called an upfront information pack) is a document prepared by the seller containing key details about the property. Under the proposed reforms, this would be required at the point of listing rather than later in the transaction.
What is gazumping?
Gazumping occurs when a seller accepts an offer from one buyer but then accepts a higher offer from a different buyer before contracts are exchanged. It is legal under the current system in England and Wales because agreements are not binding until exchange of contracts.
When might the reforms become law?
The government has not set a specific timeline. The proposals were announced on 19 June 2026 and are subject to consultation. Legislation would need to pass through Parliament before any new requirements come into force.
Do the reforms apply in Scotland?
No. Property law in Scotland operates under a separate legal framework. Scotland already requires mandatory Home Reports (similar to sales packs) and uses a different offer system. The proposed reforms apply to England.
What is the current average transaction time in England?
The average time from offer acceptance to legal completion in England is typically 12 to 16 weeks, varying by chain length, mortgage complexity and solicitor workload. The government estimates the reforms could reduce this by around four weeks.
